The 2024 Tour de France, the world's most prestigious cycling event, recently concluded with a thrilling finale that featured a surprise appearance from Škoda's latest all-electric model, the Elroq. As the official main partner of the Tour de France for over two decades, Škoda has been an integral part of the race, providing the official fleet of vehicles and even designing the iconic crystal trophies. This year's edition proved to be no exception, with Škoda once again playing a pivotal role in the event's success.
Škoda's Long-Standing Partnership with the Tour de France
Škoda's association with the Tour de France dates back to 2004, when the Czech automaker first became the official main partner and car supplier for the prestigious cycling race. Over the past 21 years, this partnership has only grown stronger, with Škoda firmly establishing itself as a key contributor to the event's success.
Providing the Official Fleet
As the official car supplier, Škoda has been responsible for providing a fleet of vehicles to support the various teams and officials involved in the Tour de France. This year, the carmaker supplied 205 Škoda vehicles, including the "red cars" used by the race director, Christian Prudhomme, to lead the peloton.
Designing the Crystal Trophies
In addition to the vehicle fleet, Škoda's Design department has been responsible for producing the crystal trophies awarded to the overall winner, the winners of the points and mountains classifications, and the best young rider. These unique, hand-crafted trophies, standing 60 cm tall and weighing 5 kg, have become an iconic symbol of the Tour de France.
Sponsoring the Green Jersey
Škoda has also been sponsoring the green jersey for the points classification winner for the past 10 years, further cementing its commitment to the event and its participants.
The Surprise Debut of the Škoda Elroq
The highlight of this year's Tour de France finale, however, was the surprise appearance of a camouflaged Škoda Elroq. As the brand's latest all-electric model, the Elroq is set to make its world premiere later this year, but Škoda decided to give the public a sneak peek during the final stage of the race.
A Glimpse of the Future
The camouflaged Elroq joined the riders on the final laps, providing a tantalizing glimpse of the brand's upcoming electric offering. With its distinctive design language, the Elroq represents a significant step forward for Škoda as it continues to expand its electrified lineup.
Škoda's Electrification Journey
The surprise debut of the camouflaged Škoda Elroq at the Tour de France finale was a significant moment, not only for the brand's partnership with the event but also for its ongoing electrification efforts.
The Elroq, Škoda's latest all-electric model, is set to join the brand's growing lineup of electric vehicles, which includes the Enyaq and Enyaq Coupé. This expansion of Škoda's EV offerings aligns with the brand's strategic goal of becoming one of the top five best-selling brands in Europe by 2030, with an attractive lineup in the entry-level segments and additional electric models.